Mentorship Programme for Aspring Diplomats

Mentorship Programme for Aspring Diplomats

Are you interested in embarking on a transformative journey into the world of diplomacy?

Have you always wanted to take a peak into the work of international organizations?

The GiLE Foundation successfully organised two pilot mentorship programmes for aspiring diplomats that was 2.5-months long.

It was a unique initiative that provided hands-on experiences and personalised guidance to participants who were seeking career guidance to navigate the international relations landscape.

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Our pilot programmes set the foundation for an updated and improved version of this mentorship programme.

See Updated Programme

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Programme Highlights:

1:1 Mentorship Sessions

Forge meaningful connections with seasoned diplomats through personalized mentorship sessions. Our careful matching process ensures mentees are paired with mentors who align with their career goals and aspirations.

Embassy Visits in Budapest

Gain first-hand practical knowledge about the life of a diplomat is like through our Embassy visits. We explore the day-to-day tasks, what a country's foreign policy position is in Hungary, and we have Q&A sessions to discuss the latest in global affairs.

UN Head Quarters Day Trip (Vienna)

As part of the program, we will take a day trip to the United Nations Head Quarters in Vienna, where we will have an exclusive guided tour. Furthermore, you will also have the chance to intervene with UN team members and ask the most burning questions, you always wanted to know!

Networking & Relationship Building

Connect with professionals in the field of diplomacy, both locally and internationally. Network with diplomats, representatives from UN associations, and other experts during our organized events.

Soft Skill Workshops

Develop essential diplomatic skills through tailored workshops. From effective communication and negotiation to cultural sensitivity and leadership, these sessions are designed to equip you with the tools needed for success in the field.

Access to Content & Materials

Gain access to content and materials from the workshops and training sessions that you can use beyond the mentorship programme.

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Programme Overview

Are you curious about the schedule of the programme? Here is a high-level overview on what you can expect each month.

  • March 2024: Kick-off session, programme session on Cultural Diplomacy
  • April 2024: UN day trip, Embassy visit, and programme session on Science Diplomacy.
  • May 2024: Programme Session on Communication Skills, Embassy visit
  • June 2024: Closing ceremony
See Updated Programme

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Register your interest

Are you interested to know more about our mentorship programmes?

Then register your interest and we will contact you when we launch our next cohorts!

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In partnership With:

This mentorship programme is a collabration between the GiLE Foundation and the International Diplomatic Student Association (IDSA).

IDSA brings together students interested in developing  knowledge of international relations, debating, and soft skills.

FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Our FAQs below cover the following topics:

  • General Application Process
  • Programme Structure
  • Mentor Engagement Process
  • Final Evaluation Process

General Application Process

Yes, the programme is designed for individuals at various stages of their diplomatic journey, including those with little or no prior experience. The programme is tailored to accommodate a diverse range of backgrounds and aspirations.

 Yes, the programme is open to internationals and local Hungarians. However, it is essential that participants speak English and can commit to the programme’s schedule and activities.

Our programme is committed to being accessible. There will be a minimal fee to cover the UN day trip to Vienna which is ~15k HUF for return travel and small overhead costs.

Programme Structure

The mentorship programme will be conducted in English throughout the entire period. 

The programme is structured to last approximately 2.5 months, providing an intense and comprehensive experience for mentees.

Our programme is carefully structured to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience. The programme includes  1-on-1 mentorship sessions, allowing participants to connect with experienced diplomats and receive personalized guidance. 

The programme also has soft skill workshops to cover essential aspects of diplomacy, such as effective communication, negotiation, and cultural sensitivity. Moreover, the programme also features a day trip to the UN Vienna, as well as two Embassy visits.

All these sessions provide firsthand exposure to the practical aspects of diplomacy, offering a unique opportunity for participants to witness diplomatic processes in action.

The frequency and format of mentorship sessions are designed to accommodate the busy schedules of both mentors and mentees, fostering meaningful and flexible engagements. 

Mentorship sessions will mainly be conducted offline, except with mentor-mentee engagement which may take place online subject to the agreement between the mentor and the mentee. 

Embassy visits will take place at the respective Embassy, whereas all the workshops will take place at the Hungarian Innovation Hub, which is located in the Infopark (Building i), in Budapest.

Participants will have access to relevant reading materials, resources on diplomacy, and exclusive events. Additionally, they will receive ongoing support from programme coordinators. 

Yes, participation in the day trip is mandatory. These outings provide invaluable insights into the practical aspects of diplomacy, and attendance is a crucial part of the overall learning experience.

Mentor Engagement Process

No. But they can significantly influence who they get paired with based on their needs and personal preferences

As organisers of the programme, we carefully match mentees with experienced mentors based on their career goals, interests, and background, ensuring a meaningful and personalised mentoring experience.

Final Evaluation Process

Yes, participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a Certificate of Completion, recognising their dedication and achievements during the mentorship programme.

Evaluation methods may include mentor and mentee feedback, participation in workshops and activities, and the completion of any assigned projects. The aim is to ensure a holistic assessment of each participant’s growth.

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Registered seat: 1066, Budapest, Teréz Körút 8

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Adult education registration number: B/2020/001454

Contact email: info[at]gilefoundation.org

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Track 2:

Diplomacy &
International Affairs

[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!

This track provides aspiring diplomats and those interested in international public servants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful career in international relations. Participants will engage in workshops on diplomatic protocol, cultural diplomacy, and science diplomacy, alongside visits to embassies and relevant international organisations. These activities offer hands-on experience and insights into diplomatic practices and international development, helping participants develop the necessary skills and network to excel within international organisations.

Aspiring diplomats – International relations enthusiasts interested in careers in diplomacy, international development, and global cooperation.

International public servants – Students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career at an international organisation like the United Nations, UNESCO, UNHCR, or UNICEF, for example, without necessarily wanting to be a diplomat (i.e.  remaining independent of any single nation’s government). Interests may include advancing global peace, international development, and human rights.

  • Embassies in Hungary
  • International organisations
  • EU agencies
  • United Nations headquarters in Vienna

Track 1:

Civil Society & Public Administration

[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!

This track equips aspiring public servants and NGO leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful community work. Participants will attend workshops on introduction to nonprofit management and civic engagement, effective altruism, social innovation, design thinking, community engagement, and fundraising. Additionally, visits to local NGOs and municipalities will provide practical insights into the functioning and challenges of civic organizations. This track aims to foster effective leadership and innovative thinking in addressing social issues.

(Aspiring) public servants – Students and young professionals who work, or aspire to work, in government departments or local municipalities in their country, and who seek to enhance their skills, network, effectiveness in public administration and ability to improve their communities.

(Aspiring) non-profit founders – Passionate individuals interested in creating and leading non-profit organisations focused on addressing social and environmental issues.

Young changemakers and community organisers – Young leaders dedicated to mobilising communities and fostering grassroots movements to drive social change. This includes environmental advocates committed to promoting sustainable practices and policies to combat environmental issues.

  • Local municipalities
  • Established NGOs
  • United Nations headquarters in Vienna

Events, Marketing & Communications

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Manage pre-event planning of events, including assisting with the promotions, logistics, and general management of events, workshops and training courses.
  • Liaise with (strategic) partners, youth networks and key contact persons where relevant.
  • Manage feedback loops and produce post-event evaluations and content to inform future events.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • High level of organisational skills
  • Attention to detail;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills,
  • Time-management skills
  • Flexible, target-driven, and proactive.

The role consists of:

  • Launch and coordinate fundraising campaigns to support the projects and activities of the organisation.
  • Further develop an internal guideline document that briefly summarises our various types of fundraising techniques.
  • Perform risk management to minimize any risks related to fundraising.
  • Continuously explore creative ways to raise funds, including continuously searching
    for potential donors or fundraising partners.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Excellent communication and writing skills,
  • Excellent way of expressing ones thoughts, and having persuasive tactics.
  • Good written and research skills to prepare compelling concept notes to help generate funds.

The role consists of:

  • Assisting with the preparation, promotion and management of scientific conferences (hybrid).
  • Keeping in contact with speakers and presenters.
  • Managing and coordinating event logistics on the day of the event.
  • Producing post-event evaluations and feedback to inform future events.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • High level of organisational skills
  • Attention to detail;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills,
  • Time-management skills
  • Flexible, target-driven, and proactive.

The role consists of:

  • Assist with the development and constant review of the brand and marketing strategy.
  • Ensure that the organisation’s branding and artwork for all its activities and projects is
    consistent and appropriately aligned with the Brand Standards Guide.
  • Consistently promote the organisation, its projects and its activities in an effective
    and efficient manner, together with a team, through a unified brand voice.

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Creativity; and attention to details;

Website, Developer &
IT-related roles

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Create custom web experiences with the latest web technologies.
  • Ensure that the website is appealing to the target audience and catches attention.
  • Design accessible web user interfaces (UI), enhance platforms with custom style sheets.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience with building visually appealing websites from the design standpoint.
  • Experience in using common CMS systems, like WordPress and Drupal.
  • Comfortable with CSS and preferably has a basic understanding of popular web technologies and frameworks.
  • High level understanding of web design concepts, UI principles
  • Basic experience in app UI design (for example the UI builder of Android Studio).

The role consists of:

  • Keep website fully functional at all times, inform colleagues of any expected downtime.
  • Deploy and update WordPress ecosystem components.
  • Make sure the site’s user interface is easily accessible for most users.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Thrives in the WordPress ecosystem, is aware of new trends and has a good command of the most popular web technologies (HTML, CSS, Javascript);
  • Has a UX-first mindset, is able to create modern and accessible wireframes/concepts and iterate fast on ideas;
  • Can develop complex webpages using Theme Builders like Elementor or Divi;
  • Has experience in creating webpages with WordPress, using plugins;
  • Is able to provide technical support to all users of the website(s).

Content Creation
& Design

The following roles are currently available:

The role consists of:

  • Produce written or verbal content that is clear and persuasive for our target audience for various platforms in a way that is consistent with our brand strategy and voice (articles, blogs, podcasts, newsletter texts, etc.).

  • Assist with the development of creative ideas and concepts for advertising, social
    media, or crowdfunding  campaigns.

  • Help drive brand consistency across all communication platforms

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience in copywriting for multiple social media campaigns.
  • Creative and curiosity.
  • Ability to collaborate and communicate with team members.
  • High attention to details.
  • Creative copy writing experience an added bonus.

The role consists of:

  • Designing unique marketing material that’s aligned with the creative direction and overall brand of the foundation and its projects.
  • Reviewing final layouts and suggesting improvements where required.
  • Ensure that the overall branding and artwork is maintained appropriately and consistently across all platforms and for all marketing and promotion material.

 

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Demonstrable design experience across various platforms with design applications, software and technologies, such as Canva, Quark Xpress, InDesign or Illustrator, and photo-editing software such as Photoshop.
  • A keen eye for aesthetics and details;
  • Ability to translate campaigns into a visual creative direction

The role consists of:

  • Edit professional videos that are creative, engaging, and appropriately designed for our target audience.
  • Continuously discover and implement new editing technologies and industry’s best practices to maximize efficiency.

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • solid experience with digital technology and editing software packages.
  • creative mind and storytelling skills.

The role consists of:

  • Launch our TikTok platform, grow our audience, and maximise user engagement and growth goals with high performing content.
  • Developing creative video content from scratch/available content
  • Stay on top of recent platform trends and how they could be used to promote the organisation.

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Experience in making TikTok or short video content creation
  • Creative and curious.
  • High attention to details.

The role consists of:

  • Proof-read and correct documents and texts for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
  • Verify factual correctness of information (e.g. dates and statistics).
  • Check and adjust text for style, readability, clarity and readability;

Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.

Skills and requirements:

  • Familiarity with the proofreading techniques and tools;
  • Attention to details;